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camaro sub frame for 59 chevy stepside...

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HotRodrookie, Oct 15, 2007.

  1. HotRodrookie
    Joined: Jun 20, 2007
    Posts: 45

    HotRodrookie
    Member
    from nor cal

    Im thinking about swapping out the stock solid front axel for a newer ifs system. I hear that 70's camaros are really popular for this kind of build and im wondering if anybody can share some knowledge about doing it. How much do subframes cost? which ones are recomended? and most importantly, what kind of knowlegde or where can i find it to do this thing.
     
  2. Cyclone
    Joined: Mar 31, 2006
    Posts: 224

    Cyclone
    Member
    from Sonoma, CA

  3. old dirt tracker
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 1,002

    old dirt tracker
    Member
    from phoenix

    you want a 70-81 camaro or firebird sub, there is a tech article w/pictures on here some place do a search.
     
  4. Slag Kustom
    Joined: May 10, 2004
    Posts: 4,312

    Slag Kustom
    Member

    look into doing a jaguar xj6 or xjs front end. simple to install and no need to cut the frame.
     
  5. skratch
    Joined: Dec 18, 2001
    Posts: 867

    skratch
    Member

    i have a rolling 58 cadillac chassis with new brakes.it has floor pans and fire wall .that's your fix ..
     
  6. Lobucrod
    Joined: Mar 22, 2006
    Posts: 4,121

    Lobucrod
    Alliance Vendor
    from Texas

  7. Cyclone
    Joined: Mar 31, 2006
    Posts: 224

    Cyclone
    Member
    from Sonoma, CA

    After searching and reading about the S-10 frame swap, sounds like a good way to go also.
    Donor here....cheap!
     
  8. I'll PM you some pics as soon as I can dig them out of my old hard drive.
    Start by removing the front axle and springs.
    Set the wheel and tire you plan on using in the wheel opening and measure your wheelbase.
    Make sure you are happy with how it sits in the opening.
    Remove the front sheet metal.
    Then, weld a temporary crossmember across the rails at the firewall.
    Remove both crossmembers (Engine and tranny.
    We cut the stock frame at the axle centerline (I think) then, pie cut it back towards the firewall and spread it apart.
    Save the frame horns for later.
    You're going to want them to put the radiator and bumper back on.
    Then, about 8-10 inches forward of that we bent the sides back in so that the flaps that were the outer edge of the frame rails were at the same width as the Camaro Sub.
    The camaro sub was cut as far back as possible right before it bends down (Basically cut off the legs behind the lower control arm mount), then slipped it in between the flaps of the original frame.
    Tack it together.
    This is a good time to put the fenders back on and fit some tires to it to be sure you got the measurements right.
    After we welded it, boxed it back about 12-18" behind the original trans cross member (Which was removed) it looked almost factory.
    A lot of guys just cut the frame off and weld the Camaro stub to the bottom, then it looks like you welded a Camaro stub to the bottom of your frame.

    We actually mocked up the entire asembly and measured frame heights at four corners, as well as bumper heights so they could go back in the same basic loacation.

    The inside dimension of the stock frame is almost dead nuts the same as the inside dimension of the Camaro Sub, so the frame horns line up pretty well.
    When you are trimming the front horns of the sub, be careful not to cut the sway bar mounts off (Riv Nuts in the frame).

    I think that about covers it. It's been two years since we did that.
     
  9. Oh, the lower tank will need to be modified as well as the "Ring" on the core support to clear the steering box.
     
  10. lotus
    Joined: Sep 7, 2002
    Posts: 1,119

    lotus
    Member
    from Taft, CA

    pretty sure the s10 is too narrow for the 55.2-59 chevy trucks. They work better for the 55.1 and older trucks.
     
  11. ronrob75
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 94

    ronrob75
    Member

  12. HotRodrookie
    Joined: Jun 20, 2007
    Posts: 45

    HotRodrookie
    Member
    from nor cal

    im thinking the 70's camaro swap, as far as pricing one out, how much would they go for? theres a pick and pull a few miles from me, i dont wanna go and get ripped...
     
  13. elwood blues
    Joined: Sep 13, 2005
    Posts: 462

    elwood blues
    Member

    I paid about 250 for mine with good brakes and a good power steering pump out of a local junkyard. I cant see paying over about 350 for one with the works. BTW I did this as my first clip job on a 59 apache if you take your time and measure about 500 times you'll be tits man.
     

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